By Heather Mellican
Making a big move isn’t always easy. But for 25 year old Daniel Venditti, the move from Perth to Melbourne has become one he doesn’t regret.
Venditti spent seven years playing in the Western Australia Football League for the Perth Demons before moving to Coburg this season and despite leaving his comfort zone, he has found the move to be a smooth transition.
“The move has been really good. Footy training started pretty much within four weeks of moving over so I have been pretty busy for the last seven months with that and work so the time has flown by – it’s hard to believe I have already been here for seven months,” Venditti said.
“An advantage for me was starting with all the boys back in November and being with the group the whole time. This helped to get to know everyone and settle in well.”
Although Venditti learnt a lot from his time playing with the Demons in Perth, modelling his game on players within the club and learning the vital building blocks through hard work and perseverance to make the most of his talents, he has seen some clear differences between the WAFL and VFL.
“Being at an affiliated club, the competition for spots each week is one of the main motivators to ensure that everyone is training at one hundred per cent intensity to put their name up for selection.”
“ At my old club in Perth, we may have had a maximum of three or four AFL listed players playing Seniors for us each week, whereas most games here we have about 14 Richmond listed players. Things like that mean competition is rife amongst the group which brings out the best in each other,” he said.
Venditti likes fighting for a place in the team and bringing out the best in himself and others and has also found that he has had to adjust his playing style to not only suit the team, but also the league as whole.
“You really need to focus on contested footy, positioning around stoppages and ability to hold your ground and tackle. I have also noticed that with two kicks the ball can be inside fifty from the backline, so you need concentrate on accountability and transition at all times, as well as having polished skills to make sure the ball doesn’t go back over your head for a goal if you turn it over up one end.”
Venditti has also had to alter to the high quality competition he is up against.
“The quality of games are at a really high level – you have a number of AFL listed players that you are playing with and also up against, so it really means you have to be on your game to match it with these guys,” he said.
Venditti has been able to fit in around the club with ease with the help of players and coaching staff. He was able to use experienced Coburg players Nick Carnell, Damien Rayson and Michael Tanner to act as sounding boards of what to expect and also help him gain an understanding of the club history and club expectations.
Daniel was also quick to praise the coaching team that provided him with a clear understanding of the game plan and expectations placed on him from the get go, as well as Craig Byron who helped him make the move to Coburg.
“The whole group were really great and took me in straight away and it’s just a really good place to be.”
As an older player, Venditti is keen to set a good example for the younger places and hopefully pass on some knowledge of the game to help benefit the team. At the start of the year, Vice-captain Ben Clifton was appointed as his mentor to assist him within the club.
“We have a really strong leadership group and my mentor is Ben Clifton, so for me it is about looking to him for leadership and helping him out where I can. We are definitely a squad with good leadership so I am happy to slot in and lead by example as best I can.”
The 25 year old who is also working as a Bunnings Health and Safety Advisor loves using footy as his release and lights up when he runs onto the ground in the red and blue.
Fans can expect to see more improvement from the on-baller as he adjusts to the game and pushes himself to make an impression.
“Just trying to get the most out of yourself is probably the key motivator and focus which has driven me. I am pretty keen to continue to improve week by week and take my opportunities at senior level.”
Last Modified on 11/07/2012 18:03